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Literary Landmark Award

Jackson Library was named a Literary Landmark by Friends of Libraries USA in 2002. The designation was awarded based on the Library's place in the literary heritage of the University and on collections of the papers and works of
prominent faculty members, such as Randall Jarrell, and our graduates.

In his letter in support for Jackson Library's application for the award, MFA Writing Program Executive Director Jim Clark wrote: "Robert Watson once gave this advice to young writers on our campus: 'Some days the muse
will stand the writer up; on other days the muse will be stingy; on rare days the muse will be generous. But if the writer is not there alone and waiting, the muse will never call.' And on our campus, Jackson Library is where our writers have pored over the great literary works and scribbled and waited."

In bestowing the recognition, Friends of Libraries USA Executive Director Sandy Dolnick noted that Jackson Library's case for receiving the award was well-presented, and that the award could have been granted on the basis of the Randall Jarrell Collection alone.

In order to celebrate this honor, Jackson Library, in partnership with Friends of the Library and the MFA Writing Program, held two public events during October on the theme "The Library and the Literary Community." The first, held October 17, 2002 featured noted author and critic Sven Birkerts, speaking on the theme of "The Role of the Library in the Literary Community." The second, held October 29, 2002 featured a panel of writers and teachers of writing at UNCG over the past fifty years, including Fred
Chappell, Robert Morgan, Bob Watson, Emily Wilson, and Lee Zacharias. The panel discussion was followed by a reception and book signing featuring twenty alumni authors.

Events in the celebration were supported by a LIVE! @ your library grant. LIVE! @ your library is an initiative of the American Library Association, with major support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Wallace-Reader’s Digest Funds, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.